Exercise Device

ABSTRACT

An exercise device having a longitudinal tensioner having a first and second end, a elastomeric member having a first and second end disposed around said longitudinal tensioner along a portion of the length of said tensioner, weighted members operably connected to said tensioner at said first and second ends and a handle circumferentially disposed about said longitudinal member substantially equidistantly spaced between said weighted members. The tensioner may be surrounded by an ribbed cylindrical portion and have weighted members covered in compressible material.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims Priority to: U.S. Provisional Application No.61/386,563, filed 27 Sep. 2010, titled “Handheld Exercise Device” and isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to Exercise Equipment. In particular, thepresent invention relates to a handheld exercise bar with flexible endsthat may be used by a human appendage.

2. Description of Related Art

Since the beginning of time, mankind has experienced a wide variety ofailments that affect the body. From joint pain to fatigue to a lack offlexibility; almost all of these problems can be fixed through simpleexercises. Various exercise programs have been developed over the years,many of which employ stretching techniques and others which useaccessories in combinations.

Numerous accessories have been developed to assist in exercises. Some ofthese accessories include both freestanding weights, while othersinclude intricate mechanical components which require regularmaintenance. Those components which require maintenance can from time totime break down. Exercise equipment has certainly improved over the lastfew years.

Yet, despite the fervor over various types of exercises, the endlessamounts of money expended in investing in exercise regimes and exerciseequipment, none so far have been able to sufficiently exercise variousmuscles. Overall, there has been a general lack of stimulation of thehand, arm, and finger muscles. Numerous devices have been made toimprove grip strength along with various muscles affecting the humanappendages. However, these devices are often bulky and/or complex, suchthat they require continued maintenance. Thus there exists a need for arelatively simple piece of exercise equipment that can sufficientlyexercise multiple parts of the body through interactive movement ofextensions attached to a handheld bar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention areset forth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, as wellas a preferred mode of use and further objectives and advantagesthereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of an exercise deviceaccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of an exercise device according to apreferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an exercise device according toa preferred embodiment of the invention

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a weighted member according toa preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates exercise device 10.Exercise device 10 includes elastomeric longitudinal members 20,tensioner member 30, weighted members 40 a and 40 b, and handle 50.Tensioner member 30 has a first end 32 and a second end 34. First end 32and second end 34 are disposed within and along the length oflongitudinal members 20. Weighted members 40 a and 40 b are operablyconnected to tensioner member 30 about first end 32 and second end 34.Additionally handle 50, is circumferentially disposed about tensionermember 30. Tensioner member 30 may be of any of a variety of memory typesystem for creating tension including springs, carbon rods, torsionbars, or other flexible composite or plastic materials. So long astensioner member 30 is flexible and can freely move about the desiredrange of motion, it is sufficient for these purposes.

Elastomeric longitudinal members 20 may be configured in accordionfashion with a series of ribs that flex upon movement of the member. Theaccordion style configuration permits use of flexible plastics or othercomposite materials and provides a cover to the tensioner member 30. Iftensioner member 30 is composed of a coiled spring, the elastomericmember 20 does not interfere with the full range of motion available inthe spring as it flexes-or stretches upon use

In this particular embodiment, elastomeric longitudinal members 20 serveas a flexible barrier to provide a user protection for his or her handsfrom tensioner member 30. Preferably, elastomeric longitudinal members20 are attached to tensioner member 30 in a manner that allows it toremain disposed between each of weighted members 40 a and 40 b. Asweighted members 40 a and 40 b transition via tensioner member 30,elastomeric longitudinal members 20 remains relatively flexible.Weighted member 40 a comprises core 41 a fixedly attached to threadedbushing 47 via bolt 48. Core 41 a is threaded into tensioner 30 until itis tightly engaged at the end of tensioner 30. As is readily apparent,in a preferred embodiment tensioner 30 has a series of spring coils forreception of threaded bushing 47. Core 41 b is similarly attached totensioner 30.

Sheath 49 is fixedly attached to tensioner member 30 through any of avariety of conventional Means, including crimping the sheath around thetensioner member for stable engagement. In one embodiment, sheath 49 maybe a metal cylinder configured to fit around tensioner 30 which in apreferred embodiment is a coiled spring. Sheath 49 may also be made of aflexible material that is fixedly attached to a more rigid metal sheath.In other embodiments, sheath 49 may be attached with glue or affixedwith fasteners. Handle 50 is disposed about sheath 49 and provides acompressible handle positioned between elastomeric longitudinal members20. Handle 50 is configured for easy engagement by a human hand and forholding the exercise device.

However, tension member 30 flexes substantially to allow an almost freeflow of weighted members 40 a and 40 b, such that weighted members 40 aand 40 b can extend towards and almost touch elastomeric longitudinalmembers 20. Tensioner member 30 not only flexes to allow weightedmembers 40 a and 40 b to flex about a lateral direction but also flexesin the longitudinal direction. For example tensioner member 30 can flexsuch that it extends and contracts in a longitudinal direction. Becausetensioner member 30 has memory, it can both partially wind and unwindallowing for the length to expand and contract. The composition oftensioner member 30 to wind and unwind adds to the ability for each ofweighted members 40 a and 40 b to rotate almost freely, relative toelastomeric longitudinal member 20. For example, tensioner member 30 iscapable of allowing weighted members 40 a and 40 b to rotate relative toelastomeric longitudinal member 20 in an almost fixed location. Becauseweighted members 40 a and 40 b extend from a sufficient distance fromelastomeric longitudinal member 20, the weight of each members providesfor a sufficient moment to be established upon minimal movement.

Weighted members 40 a and 40 b are comprised of core 41 a and 41 brespectively which are fixedly attached to tensioner member 30. Flexiblecovers 43 a and 43 b are placed around cores 41 a and 41 b to provide arelatively soft and graspable ball for human use. Weighted members 40 aand 40 b also provide users with individual exercise capabilities asthey can be modified and changed in dimension and mass according to auser's specifications. Weighted members 40 a and 40 b are preferablycomprised of an elastomeric material that allows for compression. Userscan perform strength routines by grasping and squeezing each weightedmember 40 a and 40 b and allowing them to compress and redeploy.Additionally users can grasp each of weighted members 40 a and 40 bindividually and perform various exercises. By grasping either weightedmember 40 a or 40 b, the opposing weighted member establishes asignificantly greater moment than if exercise device 10 is grasped viathe middle at elastomeric longitudinal member 20. Similarly, one cangrasp exercise device 10 about either of weighted members 40 a or 40 bin combination with elastomeric member 20 in order to stabilizeexercises performed when a moment is disposed about the opposingweighted member.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of exercise device 10 with weighted members 40a and 40 b with elastomeric longitudinal member 20 and handle 50.Elastomeric longitudinal member 20 is positioned about the spring ortensioner (not visible) and on each end of the device. The elastomericmember 20 may abut handle 50 to permit free movement of the weightedmembers upon activation of movement to the handle. FIG. 3 shows aperspective view of exercise device 10.

FIG. 4 shows a Perspective view of weighted member according to apreferred embodiment of the invention. Weighted member 40 a is shownwith protruding bushing 47 engaged to bolt 48. Void 55 is sufficientlysized to receive a portion of the elastomeric member 20 (not shown) thatcontains one end of tensioner 30 (not shown) that is in turn threadablyengaged to bushing 47. In an alternative embodiment, the spring may befitted with a threaded member that in turn is fixedly attached to themateable threading of the bushing. It will be understood to those ofskill in the art that any of a variety of conventional means for stableengagement of the core to the tensioner or spring may be employed. Aspreviously described, flexible covers may be placed around core 41 a.

In alternative embodiments, exercise device 10, can take differentshapes. For example, exercise device 10 can be styled such that itincludes two tensioner members 30 extending about each end ofelastomeric longitudinal member 20. From each tensioner member 30,various weighted members 40 can be connected from each tensioner member30. In certain embodiments, different numbers and various combinationsof tensioner members 30 can extend from elastomeric longitudinal member20. For example, in one embodiment, a singular tensioner member 30 canextend about one end of elastomeric longitudinal member 20 while two ormore tensioner members 30 can extend from another end of elastomericlongitudinal member 20.

In certain embodiments various modifications may be made to exercisedevice 10. For example weighted members 40 a and 40 b can individuallybe made to form different shapes. While weighted members 40 a and 40 bare preferably spherical, in other embodiments, they may take any sortof “-hedron” shapes. In particular embodiments, weighted members 40 aand 40 b can take the shape of an octahedron, an icosahedrons, or acuboctahedron. Yet in other embodiments weighted members 40 a and 40 bcan also be formed as a prismoid or a similar shape. Still in otherembodiments, weighted members may take the shape of cubes. In suchembodiments the cube shapes can be formed out of pads to assist inboxing exercises.

Further, the surface of the weighted members 40 a and 40 b can havevarious textures. The surface of weighted members 40 a and 40 b can berough or smooth if desired or be a combination of various textures invarious portions to allow greater or less grip if desired.

In various embodiments, elastomeric member 20 can also be formed toseparate into various pieces. For example, elastomeric longitudinalmember 20 can be formed to a set of components that interlock toestablish a singular device. In such embodiments, tensioner member 30can be formed of two component devices that share an interlockingjuncture along tensioner longitudinal member 30. As such, each componenttensioner longitudinal member 30 could individually be grasped such thata person could hold separate portions of tensioner longitudinal member30 in both hand and each arm can perform separate exercises. In theevent that a user desired, each component longitudinal tensioner 30could be recombined to establish a single longitudinal tensioner 30.

In operation, exercise device 10 may be used to perform a variety ofexercises. For example, a user can lift exercise member 10 at whichpoint weighted members 40 a and 40 b impose a load on ones muscles. Forfurther exercise, a user can then rotate exercise device 10 viaelastomeric longitudinal member 20 using one's wrist. As a wrist rotatesexercise device 10, the flexibility of tensioner member 30 allowsweighted members 40 a and 40 b to follow its motion which in turn forcesvarious hand muscles to flex. Rotating ones wrist while holding exercisemember 10, causes weighted members 40 a and 40 b to transition and inturn exercises the triceps and other similarly situated muscles. In theevent than one desired to employ exercise device 10 for the use withanother appendage, straps, which connect exercise device 10 about oneslegs and feet can be used. Such straps can wrap from about tensionermember 30 and about the outside of handle 50.

In the event that one desires to store exercise device 10, a holdingmechanism can be employed to suspend exercise device 10 about betweenlongitudinal tensioner 30 and weighted members 40 a and 40 b. In certainembodiments, longitudinal tensioner can be suspended in storage suchthat one weighted member rests at a greater height than the otherweighted member.

Additionally, in certain embodiments of the present application, variouselectronic devices can be included in component parts of the presentapplication to interact with another device. For example, in certainembodiments; signaling mechanisms can be disposed about longitudinaltensioner 30 and optionally within weighted members 40 a and 40 b. Insuch an application, as weighted members are rotated relative tolongitudinal tensioner 30, signaling mechanisms embedded within eachcomponent can track the locations within each component and in turnrelay it to a receiving apparatus to track the various locations of eachcomponent. Such a receiving apparatus could then convey the signals toanother input or output such as a video gaming device.

In the event that additional exercises are desired, the elasticity ofweighted members 40 a and 40 b allows for squeezing. For example, a usercan grasp and squeeze each of weighted members 40 a and 40 b in one'shand, either singularly or in unison. As each of weighted members 40 aand 40 b are squeezed their material composition is such that they willreturn to their original shape in a short period of time. After eitherof weighted members 40 a and 40 b returns to its original shape, a usercan again squeeze either of member for additional exercise

Various components of exercise device 10, including stationary member11, and weighted members 40 a and 40 b may be made from a wide varietyof materials. These materials may include metallic or non-metallic,magnetic or non-magnetic, elastomeric or non-elastomeric, malleable ornon-malleable materials. Non-limiting examples of suitable materialsinclude metals, plastics, polymers, wood, alloys, composites and thelike. The metals may be selected from one or more metals, such as steel,stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, nickel, magnesium, or any otherstructural metal. Examples of plastics or polymers may include, but arenot limited to, nylon, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyester(PE), polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS), polyvinylchloride (PVC), or polycarbonate and combinationsthereof, among other plastics. Exercise device 10 and its variouscomponents may be molded, sintered, machined and/or combinations thereofto form the required pieces for assembly. Furthermore exercise device 10and its various components may be manufactured using injection molding,sintering, die casting, or machining.

It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein areshown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention.The principal features of this invention can be employed in variousembodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no morethan routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specificprocedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to bewithin the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein canbe made and executed without undue experimentation in light of thepresent disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this inventionhave been described in terms of various embodiments, it will be apparentto those of skill in the art that other variations can be applied to thecompositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of stepsof the method described herein without departing from the concept,spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes andmodifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to bewithin the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

1. An exercise device comprising: An longitudinal tensioner having afirst and second end; A elastomeric member having a first and second enddisposed around said longitudinal tensioner along a portion of thelength of said tensioner; Weighted members operably connected to saidtensioner at said first and second ends; and A handle circumferentiallydisposed about said longitudinal member substantially equidistantlyspaced between said weighted members.
 2. The exercise device of claim 1,wherein the longitudinal member is generally cylindrical.
 3. Theexercise device of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric member is comprisedof flexible ribbed sections.
 4. The exercise device of claim 1, whereinthe weighted members are generally round and formed to include anindentation to allow for a member to affix to said tensioner member. 5.The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the weighted members comprise acompressible material.
 6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein thetensioner member extends to approximately three times the length of thehandle.
 7. An exercise device comprising: An longitudinal spring havinga first and second end; A elastomeric member having a first and secondend disposed around said spring along a portion of the length of saidspring; Weighted members fixedly attached to said first and second endsof said spring; and A handle circumferentially disposed about saidspring substantially equidistantly spaced between said weighted members.8. The exercise device of claim 7 wherein said elastomeric member iscomprised of ribbed sections.
 9. The exercise device of claim 7 whereinthe weighted members comprise a compressible material.
 10. A method forexercising a human appendage comprising: Grasping a device having one ormore flexible extensions situated about a central pivot Lifting saiddevice via a handle on said device; and Flexing one or more muscles viamoving said device to dispose a moment about one or more muscles via oneor more said extensions.
 11. The method of claim 7 wherein the one ormore extensions are weighted.
 12. The method of claim 7 wherein thegrasping device is an elastomeric longitudinal member.
 13. The method ofclaim 7 wherein the grasping device is a generally longitudinal.